A relaxing day

Wherever you go becomes 

a part of you somehow. 

– Anita Desai

Last night we took a second walk to see the sunset better. It was pretty.

Today we went to Middletown, VA, to the July 4th celebration. It took a little bit of hunting to find the park but in the process we found a good place to park.

There was an interesting little craft fair. We bought some wonderful pecans, My Buddy's Nuts, after talking with Buddy  (Phil) and Bonnie.

In the other direction was the food. I counted 9 food trucks or tents. We enjoyed shrimp po'boys. They were excellent.

We ate in this building to get out of the sun - the temps were around 90 degrees. In the close end of the building, a guy is playing a guitar and singing.

Most of the people listening to the music are sitting under this tent.

There were Monster Truck rides and other things on the agenda for the afternoon including a parade. We didn't stick around too long - It was just too warm. 

On the way home we drove by the Bella Grove Mansion.
from https://bellegrove.org/about: 
Belle Grove is located in the northern Shenandoah Valley near Middletown, Virginia. Its Manor House was built in 1797 by Major Isaac Hite and his wife Nelly Madison Hite, sister of President James Madison.
...
Belle Grove was used as a headquarters by Union General Phillip Sheridan during the Civil War Valley Campaign of 1864 and was at the very center of the pivotal Battle of Cedar Creek. After a surprise attack by Confederate General Jubal Early in the early hours of October 19, 1864, General Sheridan quickly regained the territory, securing the Valley for the Union and boosting President Abraham Lincoln's chances for re-election.

The mansion was not open to the public today - it was closed for a private event. We were able to stop and get a photo and we were talking to another photographer who was there for the event. He has a personal connection to the mansion and was telling us stories. I found it very interesting that during the Battle of Cedar Creek, the attic of the mansion became a hospital for both the Union and Confederate soldiers. He said we won't see the attic on a tour but the soldiers wrote names and messages on the beams and they are still readable. 

Our afternoon has been very restful - naps, doing a little stitching/knitting, reading, watching the Chicago Cubs on TV. The  thunderstorms have started and are expected for the next several hours. We'll just keep relaxing.